one woman vs 65 pounds

Are you an avid golfer who really wants to improve your score? The single biggest thing you can do to positively impact your golf score is to improve your swing. Your swing can make all the difference in being a duffer or actually win some tournaments. There are several moves to your swing, but the two that are most important are consistency and power. If you learn how to consistently power your swing to produce long, accurate shots, you are on your way to a brand new game of golf. So, grab your bag of beginner golf clubs and get ready to work on that swing!

Your swing impacts two very important elements of a lower score: direction and distance. The direction is produced by the rotation the golf club makes as it hits the ball. This creates sidespin or backspin which impacts where your ball goes.

Distance is produced by the power you apply to the ball. You increase your power by quickly bringing the club from the top of your swing through to the impact on the ball. The distance you generate is a direct result of the force you place on the shaft to the club head and into the ball.

Another important element of your swing is consistency. You become more accurate and consistent as your learn and perfect good technique. The golf swing is a combination of strength, balance, and fluidity. When used in the right combination, your shot will go longer and land where you want it.

Some may think it is better to swing hard, but actually swinging too hard will actually reduce the power of your shot. You get distance from being accurate and fluid. These are much more important than using too much strength. It is more important to use just enough power to manage nd control your shot.

Most swing errors are a result of a bad swing plane. Usually, the swing plane is not correctly aligned to either the target or the plane angle. Unless you’ve been golfing a long time or are taking lessons from a good pro, you may not understand how your clubs are engineered to emphasize the swing plane.

There is a pretty simple secret to improving your swing plane. Keep your swing as close to the angle you use when addressing the ball. This is the original wing plane and you should try and swing through this consistently.

Learning to improve your golf swing takes time and patience. Work on the simple elements and you will be certain to lower your score and have fun at the same time.

The ancient Egyptians knew the worth of cinnamon long before research has been conducted to know its health benefits. Health practitioners back in the day would use cinnamon to treat different kinds of illnesses. Now we know the true benefits of this popular spice. It’s much more than a kitchen ingredient.

It lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides.

A study done in Pakistan found out that cinnamon can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 27% and triglyceride by up to 30%. This means that eating cinnamon can improve your lipid and cholesterol profile.

It helps control blood sugar.

Diabetes has become a global health concern. Bad diet is one of the most common causes of diabetes. Diet can fix it though, and one way is by eating cinnamon. Moderate consumption of cinnamon has been found to reduce blood sugar and prevent diabetes.

It has antimicrobial properties.

Cinnamon is a natural remedy for stomach flu, which is caused by different species of bacteria. It can fend off E. Coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. There are also studies showing effectiveness of cinnamon oil against certain type of viruses. This is why drinking cinnamon tea is an effective way to treat gastroenteritis.

The antimicrobial properties of cinnamon is not limited to fending off bacteria. Cinnamon is also known to fight candida, a common cause of vaginal infection.

It treats IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal problem. It is associated with bloating and recurrent or alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation. Cinnamon works to treat IBS in a few ways. One is by eliminating unwanted bacteria from the digestive tract. Another is by treating GI tract infections and irritation. Cinnamon also promotes natural function of the gastric juices, thus alleviating stomach cramps and discomfort.

It strengthens bones.

Two sticks of cinnamon contain more than 70% the daily recommended intake of manganese, a mineral that is important for building bones. Manganese deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis. It makes sense to include a good supply of this micronutrient to avoid bone density loss.

It prevents cancer.

Cinnamon oil contains cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, two compounds that has been found to stop cancer cells. One explanation for this is that these compounds stop sugar from feeding the fast growing cancer. Different studies have found out that cinnamon may be effective in preventing leukemia, lymphoma, colon cancer, melanoma, and stomach cancer.

It has antioxidants.

Whenever you hear your food has antioxidants, it’s always good news. One of the most important things that antioxidants do is they fight free radicals, substances that accumulate in your body as waste products. Free radicals cause cellular damage. Antioxidants keep free radicals at bay and prevent the cellular damage they cause. A significant effect of this is it prevents premature aging.

Trail running is exciting and challenging. The terrain can get rough. The weather can suddenly go bad. Accidents happen. You can get injured. How do you keep yourself safe on the trails?

Do not go alone.

It’s your first time to go to a new trail. You’re not familiar with this trail, but you’re feeling a bit adventurous and would love to hike or run along this new territory. Before you get too excited, know that people have been lost in the wilderness running alone. Rescue teams had to look for them. You don’t want this to happen to you. So go with someone who knows the trail. Even if you have a map and a compass, it pays to have someone who knows how to get you off the trail and back to the road in case something unexpected and untoward happens.

Inform a friend or your mom where you’re heading to.

If you must go alone, at least tell someone you know where you’re going. It’s not like you’re getting yourself lost in the woods anyway, but at least having someone who knows where you’re doing some recreational run offers some level of safety. That way, someone can check on you in case you’re late for dinner.

Consider your experience.

Beginners should never try challenging and jagged trails. Difficult trails put more strain on the muscles. If you are inexperienced, you probably are not fit enough for such physically demanding runs and hikes. Difficult trails put you at risk of injuries.

Pack food and water.

Hikers and runners spend the entire morning, the entire afternoon, and sometimes the entire day on the trails. Sometimes you plan for just one-hour run, but you may find yourself staying at certain areas longer, perhaps to enjoy the scene, take pictures, and rest. You can’t go wrong with packed food, particularly ready-eat food. Water is indispensable. You easily lose water when running, especially on a hot day, and you are at risk of dehydration.

Check the weather bulletin.

You don’t want to run in the rain. That’s dangerous too, especially on certain trails. Thus, checking the weather before you head to the trail is important. If you’re running on a mountain trail, take note that the weather changes suddenly. Mountain tops and elevated terrains are areas where storms can brew in a few hours. Be prepared for such nasty shifts in the weather.

Bring your phone.

Emergencies can happen. You might sprain an ankle. You might get lost and be unable find your way back. The next thing you don’t want to happen is to be caught in any of these difficult situations in the middle of nowhere without a phone.

Wear sturdy running shoes.

A pair of tough sneakers, those designed for good traction on uneven surfaces, is what you need. The right footwear for running can lower risk of slipping and falling and resulting injuries. Also, it feels more comfortable and lessens impact on your heels.

I always get down this time of year. The shorter days are just too depressing for me. Maybe you have the same problem? Life doesn’t have to be hard once you are diagnosed with SAD or seasonal affective disorder. Once you recognize the symptoms, they should be manageable. SAD itself is a very manageable condition, and there are many ways to live with it.

Get more light.

The best way to keep the blues away during fall and winter, when daylight is shorter, is to expose yourself to light as much as possible. Go out in the morning and bask in the morning light. Open your windows during the day. Spend most of your time near the window where you can get lots of natural light coming in.

Have a vacation.

Most people take a vacation in summer. While you can enjoy summer getaways, you may want to try taking a break from work in winter. Go south, whether there’s more daylight. If the budget permits, escape the winter cold by booking to a tropical resort. If that’s not possible, then just consider taking a break to spend time with friends and family.

Reduce stress.

This is exactly the reason why you should take a vacation or take a break from work. All that work-related stress makes SAD worse. There are different ways to reduce stress. One is by removing the source. Second is by getting away from it. Third is to exercise, because it releases mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. Most importantly, get enough sleep.

Eat right.

People with SAD have low serotonin levels. The body needs tryptophan to make serotonin. Thus, it makes sense to eat foods rich in tryptophan. Milk and eggs are rich in tryptophan. You should also eat more apricots, apples, grapes, and oranges because they enhance serotonin levels.

Cut back on alcohol and coffee.

Many SAD sufferers beat the winter slump by loading on caffeine, but the stimulant in coffee offers short-term relief. You have to drink coffee every day to get its mood-boosting benefits, and that comes with a price. You get addicted to it, and you suffer from anxiety and insomnia.

On the other hand, alcohol acts like a depressant, making your wintertime depression worse.

Exercise

Regular exercise coupled with sunlight exposure in the morning is beneficial to people with SAD. Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, which make you feel good. Try walking or jogging outdoors and enjoy the benefit of longer daylight exposure. Consider trying winter sports, like skiing or snowboarding.

Wake up at the same time every day.

Keep your body clock consistent by waking up at the same time each day. If you wake up at 6 on weekdays, wake up at the same time on weekends. This way, you get to take the advantage of the morning daylight, when you’re supposed to be out to get sunshine.

Take your prescriptions.

You should see your psychologist for management of your SAD. Management may involve medications, which you should take in the right dosage on the right schedule. Follow dosage instructions. Also, take necessary OTC medications or supplements. For instance, your doctor may recommend vitamin D.

Keep a journal of your symptoms.

Your psychologist or psychiatrist might have told you this. If not, it’s wise that you keep a journal of your symptoms just so you can track the progress of the condition. Is it getting worse or better? If you’re experiencing worsening signs of SAD, you may need another appointment with your psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation.

Treadmills and ellipticals are two common cardio machines used by fitness enthusiasts. They train your cardiovascular endurance and in the process make you burn calories, fat included. However, it’s hard to pick one machine that’s better than the other because one is going to be better than the other under certain, but not all, circumstances. And after looking over some elliptical reviews on this site, I wanted to make sure this was the right machine for me since the two are so different. I think that it’s important that you know these differences.

Why treadmill?

The treadmill is the easiest machine to use. It’s a frill-free affair on a treadmill. The machine allows you to walk, jog, or run. It’s very easy to use and is thus user-friendly, great for beginners. Gym equipment makers have been coming up with various fitness, but nothing has been simpler than the treadmill. Unless your gripping the handles, you are basically using your body weight. You can also control your pace. So its potential for allowing you to burn more calories is there.

Why not the treadmill?

The biggest downside of a treadmill has to do with how you use it. Technically, it’s a jogging or running machine. You run on it, and running puts a lot of impact on the joints, particularly the ankles, knees, and hips. Thus, you have to warm up properly. Start slow. Build up. Take your time before you do high intensity cardio exercises.

Why elliptical?

The elliptical machine isn’t as hard on your joints as the treadmill is. You can do the same running motions on it. Many ellipticals have movable handles that allow you to move both your upper and lower body, giving more calorie burn. The reverse stride mechanism in most ellipticals recruits more muscles than what classic running recruits.

Why not the elliptical?

Unless you have arthritis or you are recovering from a sprain, then the elliptical may be good as a second option. It’s hard to move to advanced versions of the exercise because the machine doesn’t offer that opportunity. Also, the machine may be troublesome for beginners who haven’t developed coordination yet. Another important thing to mention is that the elliptical machine, with its suspended pedals, does little to strengthen your bones and muscles.

Which is better for fat loss?

The truth is there is no significant difference. Jogging on treadmill makes you burn roughly around 700-850 calories an hour. One hour on the elliptical can make you burn an average of 770 calories an hour. The differences are not that much. It eventually boils down to how you use the machine and how advanced you are in your cardio training.

The secret to maximizing your fat loss on either machines is intensity. It doesn’t matter what machine you use, if you’re not working hard enough, you will not get results. Do high intensity sprints on a treadmill. You can also employ high intensity interval training. On the elliptical machine, utilize the upper body to recruit more muscles.

The most important thing you have to remember about fat loss is it’s largely a function of diet. You don’t lose weight via exercise alone.

When you enter a gym, you will find a wide selection of machines, some for weight lifters, others for fitness enthusiasts. If you want to lose weight, you would be spending most of your time on machines like treadmills or ellipticals. But what exactly are the best weight loss machines?

Treadmill

Treadmills are popular among people who want to lose weight. If you go to a gym, particularly a big one with a whole range of equipment, you’ll find many people sweating over a treadmill. It’s probably the most popular cardio machine for people who want to run or jog but couldn’t do so outdoors. How much you burn on a treadmill depends on your pace and how long your workout is. It’s not good for everyone though. People with arthritis and leg or ankle injuries may have to forgo the treadmill.

Stationary Bike

One of the best things about stationary or recumbent bikes is they are good for people with minor ankle injuries. Cycling isn’t as hard on the joints as running is (yeah, even running on a treadmill). The downside of cycling is it basically frees your arms, allowing you to check your smartphone or read a magazine. You slack off on your exercise and you won’t get optimum fat burn.

Elliptical

Running is a great fat burning exercise, but it’s not an option if you’re on recovering joints. The solution: elliptical trainers. The machine allows you to mimic running movements without giving as much impact on your joints. It’s great for people with arthritis as well as for anyone, especially non-runners who are starting a fitness regimen. Don’t let the calorie burn counter fool you. Start slow on your first few weeks. Then work out hard as you progress for maximum burns.

Stair Stepper

If you have no access to stairs, but stair climbing is one of your favorite fat burning pastimes, then something like a stair stepper machine is what you need. This machine is like a cardio and bodyweight machine combined. Beginners may find it difficult to use at first, and people with knee injuries may opt for another machine. For healthy individuals, it’s a great weight loss machine. Just like ellipticals and treadmills, stair steppers have handles that lure people into gripping them most of the time, making the exercise inefficient.

Rowing Machine

You probably haven’t heard of or seen a rowing machine. It’s not as popular as treadmills or ellipticals in gyms and fitness centers. But if you see one, try it. It’s possibly the most underrated fitness machine. One reason for that is people don’t know how to use it. Another is that people just find it intimidating. The rowing machine gives you full control of your workout. You’re in control of your tempo and intensity. Some people use it as a resistance machine for strength gains. Many people prefer it as a cardio machine though. Either way, it burns fat and trains you for cardiovascular fitness.

You don’t have to buy a new rowing machine if you want to lose weight or build strength. A used machine may just be as good as a new one, but there are a few things to check before making that purchase. You’re probably on a budget. Nevertheless, to make sure you don’t spend much money having the equipment repaired, consider checking the following parts.

1. Seat

Check that the seat is comfortable. Does it stay in place? Is it worn? It should be able to support your butt and of course your whole upper body. It should stay in place during your whole exercise. Some used rowing machines can have worn seats that are uncomfortable to sit on. Such defects should be fixed because they will affect your workout performance.

2. Handle

The handle is another part that easily shows sign of deterioration. In used machines, this may have worn rubber grip, which causes discomfort. Any part of the machine that gives you discomfort can affect your performance. You can replace the worn part at a low cost though. However, aside from aesthetic defects, the handle can become faulty after a long time of repeated use. This is why you have to try the used machine before buying it to make sure the handle and the cord attached to it are working properly. A faulty handle may not provide optimum resistance, jeopardizing your workout.

3. Slide

Old rowing machines can also have jerky slides. That’s another thing to check. When you’re rowing, the slide allows your seat to move smoothly along the length of the machine. You wouldn’t be able to work out properly and get the full benefit of the machine if the slide isn’t working properly. If something gets snagged and the slide stops halfway before reaching the end, it’s workout fiasco.

4. Wheel

If you’re rowing as part of your strength training routine, pay attention to a rowing machine’s wheel. The wheel is part of the mechanism of the machine that provides resistance. Resistance is what you need to hit your muscles hard. This may not be much of a concern for cardio enthusiasts, as they can use the equipment basically as an endurance training tool. But if you want to build muscle, check the wheel if it’s working properly.

5. Footplate

Footplates should be sturdy in place to keep the feet stable. If you can move the footplates, you may need to have them repaired.

Additional Tips

Consider the size of the machine.

Rowing machines are big and bulky. They require huge storage space. If you have limited space at home, consider looking for versions that can be folded in half.

Consider the type of resistance.

Rowing machines have different types of resistance. Some employ hydraulic resistance. Others have water. Others utilize magnetism. Water resistance is very effective and mimics paddling motion in water, but this type of resistance creates considerable noise. On the other hand, magnetic resistance is adjustable and is just as effective as water resistance, minus the noise.

Consider trying the machine.

This is impossible if you’re buying online. If that’s the case, then just read the description. If you’re buying at a local gym equipment shop, try the machine. See if it works smoothly and doesn’t have defects, aesthetic or mechanical.

A lot has been said about the rowing machine, the popular strength and cardio machine used by men and women alike. Folks say it’s better than treadmills or ellipticals. We can go on a debate, but one of the most interesting question is whether an indoor rowing machine can improve your abs.

There are two ways to improve your abs.

One is tone the core and ab muscles. This is a function of core and ab training.

Second is to reduce the amount of fat covering the abdominal region. This is a function of both diet and cardio workout.

Where does the rowing machine fit in?

Rowing is one of the best exercises out there. It trains your entire body. It may seem as though that you’re only moving your arms and upper body. But you’re actually engaging all your large muscle groups. That’s a good thing both from a strength training and fat loss point of view. If you want an exercise that hits both your muscles and fat, then rowing should be part of your routine.

You may be discouraged to think that the rowing machine directly hits your lats, biceps, quads, and calves. It hits the abs and obliques, too, though indirectly. Don’t fret. If you’re rowing in the proper form, you got nothing to worry about.

The right form hits the abdominals hard!

That’s right. Any exercise done with the wrong form will be inefficient. When you’re rowing in the right form and using your stabilizer muscles, you’re hitting every major muscle group, including the abdominal muscles. Your core and abs are working to stabilize you while you catch and drive. In other words, you’re not only building your back, arms, thighs, and legs. You’re also building your core!

The perfect cardiovascular tool

What does cardio have to do with your abs? Well, your abs won’t show no matter how toned it is until you shed off that layer of fat that’s covering it. How does the rowing machine help you with that?

The rowing machine is essentially a cardio machine (that has strength building benefits). By cardio means it trains your cardiovascular endurance. That also means it burns fat! Anyone who wants to lose weight has to include cardio in their regimen. Cardio burns fat all over the body, including that which is covering your abdominal muscles. Rowing can burn 800 calories in an hour.

One of the things fitness enthusiasts do is measure their body fat. They have a good reason for doing so. One of the factors that determine how fit you are is your body fat percentage. You may be lifting weights in the gym, but with a high body fat percentage, your muscle gains won’t show. This is why you hear guys in the gym talk about their body fat and you hear things like bulking and cutting. The latter means they want to get rid of some of their body fat. To be considered fit, men should have a body fat percentage of 14-17% and women, 21-24%.

So how do you measure your body fat percentage?

There are different ways.

Caliper

Calipers are precise ways to measure body fat. They are easy to use. The caliper is used to pinch the skin, including the subcutaneous fat layer. That’s the skin you can pinch above the muscle. You then take the reading in millimeters and then determine its equivalent body fat percentage on a chart. The thicker you can pinch on your skin, the more body fat you have. Some caliper tests only measure a single spot on the body. Others test different parts of the body and get the average reading. However, this is not practicable for obese individuals as the amount of fat becomes too thick for the caliper to measure.

Measuring Tape

This is another easy way to measure the percentage of your body fat. You can do this at home with a companion. You will take measurements of your neck and waist circumference. Critics have qualms about the accuracy of this method.

Pinch Test

This is like the caliper test (minus the caliper itself). Instead, you will use your index finger and thumb to pinch the back of your arm, specifically halfway between the elbow and the shoulder. Pinch the skin above the triceps muscle. Then measure the thickness in millimeters using the ruler. The reading in millimeters have an equivalent body fat percentage you can check on the chart. For instance, if you’re a man and you can pinch about 13 millimeters of skin, then roughly 9-13% of your mass is fat.

BIA

Bioelectric impedance analysis is a sophisticated way to measure your body fat. The device works on the principle of electrical conductivity. Muscle has high water and electrolyte content and is therefore more conductive than fat, which has low water content. The device measures how much your body impedes electric current. Higher readings mean more body fat. There’s one catch though. The accuracy of the measurements depends on how well hydrated you are. This is an option for people who are too overweight for caliper measurements.

Underwater Measurement

Have you heard of hydrostatic weighing? Apparently, it’s the most accurate way to measure your body fat percentage. You will have your weight taken underwater, and how much fat you have affects how much you weigh in the water. Bone and muscle are denser than water. Fat is less dense than water.

Supposing you and the other guy have the same weight. Hydrostatic weighing reveals which of you has higher fat percentage. Basically, the guy who weighs less in the water has higher fat percentage.

Plateaus are part of life. They’re part of learning and growth. There comes a point when you just couldn’t seem to go further despite hard work. Gym buffs know this. Runners do too. What do you do when you hit that dreaded plateau?

Know it’s temporary.

Plateaus are temporary unless they are caused by an underlying medical condition. If you’re stalling on your running performance and you haven’t been seeing endurance gains for weeks, you should be looking into your training, nutrition, lifestyle, or stress levels. Eventually, you will have to snap out of that situation. Figure out what’s causing the plateau. Take it from there.

Take your time off.

Runners sometimes focus too much on their training that they barely have time for anything else. This may tire the nervous system, particularly the brain. Maybe the plateau is your brain trying to tell you it needs a break. Get out of the track and do other things for at least a week. Spend more time with family and friends. Talk about other things. Take your mind off running.

Quit overthinking.

Maybe you have unrealistic goals. Maybe you’re comparing yourself too much with other athletes. If you’re an ambitious runner, chances are you’re taking everything seriously and you get upset when you don’t meet your goals. Obsessing with your performance goals can kill your motivation eventually. It’s good to be determined, but it’s equally important to set realistic goals. Every athlete is different. Every runner will experience performance gains in their own pace. Just because you are not as fast as the other person with whom you started training doesn’t mean you should be pushing yourself harder. You’ll get to that pace eventually.

Check other aspects of your life.

Plateaus in sports or strength training may be caused by certain factors you didn’t suspect at first. One example is work-related stress or fatigue. Work is a notorious strength and endurance killer. When work takes most of your mental and physical energy, you will have little left for workouts and training. You will notice work-related or even family-related stress affects your athletic performance. Stress eats so much of your energy reserves that little is left for other activities. The same thing happens when you’re sleep-deprived. Staying up too late at night to finish reports stresses your mind and body out too. The result is you couldn’t run as fast and as long as when you’re not stressed out and when you had great sleep.

Eat like a true runner.

Good diet should complement good training. Every athlete has to train and EAT properly. Running burns A LOT of calories. You should be eating more calories than the average guy unless you’re trying to lose weight. Two-thirds of your diet should consist of carbs–your major energy source. About a fifth of what you eat should be protein, which you need for muscle repair. Remember you tear your muscle fibers when you run. Don’t forget the good fats and your micronutrients.